SSD Griffin’s Growing Foundations

SSD Griffin is hard at work building his foundation skills! He’s been practicing cues like sit, down, go on through, loose leash walking, and hand targeting—all important building blocks in his journey to becoming a service dog.

One of the most versatile cues Griffin is learning is “go on through.” This directs a dog to walk ahead of a person, turn around, and face them. While it’s often used in doorways and elevators to make sure both dog and person can move safely, it also helps in tighter spaces. For example, in a narrow store aisle or inside a vehicle, this cue allows the dog to move in front and then walk backward, making navigation smoother and safer.

Griffin is also practicing hand targeting—touching his nose to his raiser’s hand. To teach this, trainers begin with a piece of blue painter’s tape on the hand, then eventually remove it once the dog understands the behavior. Hand targeting helps position the dog, but it’s also a stepping stone toward advanced tasks. Later on, Griffin may use this foundation to learn skills like turning light switches on and off, pushing buttons, or even closing drawers and cabinets.

Another new cue Griffin is learning is “lap.” This involves placing his elbows and upper body on a person’s lap. Beyond being a sweet way to bond, this behavior can provide comforting pressure and make grooming easier.

Because of the summer heat, Griffin’s raiser has been taking him to indoor spaces to practice his skills in public. At Target, he’s worked on going under tables and chairs and practiced sit-stays in the aisles. In one exercise, he sat at the edge of the aisle and stayed in place while his raiser walked a few steps away—great self-control practice!

Of course, Griffin isn’t all work—play is just as important. He’s a fun-loving, energetic pup with a special fondness for socks. To prevent sock “thievery,” his raiser gave him one sock of his own, which he happily claims as his favorite toy.

SSD Griffin is thriving—learning, practicing, and playing his way toward becoming a life-changing partner!

We here at DecisionPoint are so proud of SSD Griffin, and if Griffin’s journey inspires you, consider becoming a puppy raiser yourself! Learn more and apply at: https://www.khs.org/what-we-do/assistance-dogs/apply-now/